Nagpur: In a likely first for Maharashtra after the delegation of powers under Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PITNDPS) Act, 1988, Nagpur Rural police have secured preventive detention of a 27-year-old alleged drug supplier from Kalmeshwar, described by investigators as the kingpin of an organised narcotics network.The action assumes significance as, until a govt resolution issued on Sept 4, the authority to pass detention orders under the PITNDPS Act rested exclusively with principal secretary (Home). The new notification vested the power in special inspector general of police (IGP), enabling field units to directly pursue such proposals through the police hierarchy.Thus, Nagpur Rural police became the first police unit in the state to invoke the law under the revised framework. Special IGP, Nagpur Range, Sandip Patil, issued the detention order on Sept 9 against Abhinesh alias Abhishek alias Anna Barme alias Verma, a resident of Yerla village in Kalmeshwar, who has previously faced charges under Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).The proposal was prepared by superintendent of police Harssh A Poddar and additional SP Anil Mhaske.The immediate trigger was a case registered at MIDC Butibori police station on April 3 this year. During the investigation, the local crime branch had seized around 1kg ganja worth Rs20,000, a country-made firearm valued at Rs40,000, a mobile phone worth Rs20,000, a car valued at Rs5 lakh and cash. The total seizure was estimated at around Rs5 lakh.Police booked the accused under the provisions of the NDPS Act, Arms Act and MCOCA, alleging that he was operating an organised drug-supply network.According to investigators, Barme has been named in six NDPS cases since 2022, including offences registered at Hudkeshwar, Gittikhadan, Kalmeshwar and Butibori police stations.Police records show that he had earlier been externed for six months and was also detained under Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities (MPDA) Act. “Despite several preventive measures, the accused continued illegal drug trafficking and criminal activity,” an official stated.Citing his repeated involvement in narcotics offences, alleged links with organised crime and perceived threat to public safety, Nagpur Rural police forwarded a proposal through SP Poddar to special IGP, who subsequently approved the detention under the PITNDPS Act.
